Quick run to Toy Story...

We made it to Disney World... and Madi and Drew were ready to go. Once we were settled into our room, we headed off to Hollywood Studios as they were open until 11pm that night. We were so hungry when we got there and circled the park trying to find food. We finally made it to a place that was open the 50s Prime Time Cafe. It was a pretty neat place with awesome food!
After dinner, we made a mad dash to the Toy Story Ride. We got in line and waited to get on. It was as fun as we remember and Drew actually wore the 3D glasses this time so I am guessing it was a whole new experience for him. :)

Short Stop At Sanibel Island

After flying in, we decided to take a slight detour on our way to Disney to go get a few sea shells on Sanibel Island. We spent just a couple of hours there and ended up with a lot of shells. Madi and Drew each had their own shell collecting system. Drew's system was to get a handful of shells, give a quick glance and throw the ones he didn't like back into the ocean. If it had potential, he would give it a closer look. If it was a good one, he would tuck it into his pocket otherwise back to the ocean it went. Madi's system was to get a whole handful of shells, take them up to the beach and sort through them. She was pretty much all about quantity so almost all of her shells made Daddy's pocket.

Snorkeling off of Cove Beach

We spent our last morning snorkeling off of Cove Beach. There were plenty of fish to see and feed. Drew even got out there... for a little bit anyhow.Madi showing her gear.
Drew showing his...

Madi diving down... She is for sure related to her daddy. While snorkeling, they are identified somewhat easily by being the one with fins only above the water. :)

The Rapids, Cove Beach and More...

One of the favorites was a lazy river with waves galore. There were areas where the waves reached up to 4 feet high. Madi sailed off our tube on one of these. Then there were rapids parts where you flew through rocky areas. Madi and Dre had fun the ride as did us older ones too! Later on we headed off to do some shopping and to head down to Marina Village. We also wanted to get some pictures of the Lobby area and outside.

Another Fun Filled Day in the Bahamas

Stepped out onto the balcony and decided it was first off gorgeous out andsecond much less busy than the day time. We figured we would try to get some beach pictures before the beach turned into a swarm of people. Well... Madi and Drew had other ideas and slept until 10:00 that morning. By the time we made it out... the beach was already CRAZY!!!

Here is a picture of Dolphin Cay from our room when I realized what a nice day it was and how peaceful it was.Down at the beach, I was able to zoom in and cut out all the other people to get a couple of pictures at least...

Another timer picture... The family with the towers we stayed in as our background!

We of course couldn't leave the Bahamas without having a Bahama Mama... though their Bahama Mama is different than what we are used to so we had a Banana Smoothie instead and still called it a Bahama Mama.

We finally found the sea turtles while we took a walk after dinner and ice cream.

We then realized we were really close to the beach again and it was much quieter there now. We found a quiet spot and took a few more pictures... Only problem was Madi and Drew had totally gotten chocolate ice cream all over themselves. (We apparently have failed miserably in teaching these 2 to eat an ice cream cone!!) So my solution was for Madi to cover the spot on her shirt and to turn Drew's shirt backwards(there was no way to cover his spot or spots should I more accurately say)!

After a few pictures, we let them loose and they played sliding down the sand hill.

They followed that up with throwing rocks into the water...

Which they then followed up by soaking themselves fully clothed while we watched the sun set. Crazy kids... they didn't realize how long the walk back to our room was going to be dripping from head to toe.

We made it back to the room, quickly changed and headed off to Atlantis Pals. Basically Build A Bear. Drew picked a Dolphin and Madi a Koala!

Dolphins, Sharks, Rays and Fish... Oh My!

We had a very busy first full day at the Atlantis... First thing in the morning was Dolphin time. We had a dolphin interaction scheduled at Dolphin Cay... It was awesome! Below Madi and Drew are waiting for their turn and watching the dolphins play until it is time...

The following pictures may have cost more than our wedding pictures probably making them the most expensive pictures I own but since they wouldn't let me bring my camera... what was I to do... have no pictures... I think not! :)

Family shot with our dolphin, Julian.
Madi giving Julian a hug!


Drew was a little too shy by himself but with Daddy by his side, he was all ready to hug that dolphin!

I love Madi's expression here as she is going to get a smooch from the dolphin!

Drew having his turn!

I couldn't resist taking a couple pictures of the kids in their wet suits after getting out. I personally dread the things but Madi and Drew seemed to be able to pull them off and quite adorably in my opinion, I might add! :)

Off to explore the pools... Madi and Drew loved this pool with the spraying seahorses and the structure around it, made it perfect for playing hide from Mommy... That is until Mommy snuck up on Drew and he ran right into the sea horse. Ouchies!

Out exploring the property... Climbing the rope bridge net. Any opportunity to climb will be taken by these two. They really are monkeys deep down! From this bridge we saw hammerhead sharks and one even swam under the bridge by us.

We stumbled into a cave that turned into this awesome, incredible, amazing (yes... I could go on) tunnel. Madi and Drew were loving every minute of this.

The big fish that just stared at everyone... From this angle you cannot tell but I am pretty sure this fish is bigger than Madi and Drew!

That night we ate dinner in the Cafe of the Great Waters amongst more huge aquariums. Afterwards we walked around and took some pictures... here was a timered one of all of us.

Then Madi and Drew each wanted a turn. Here is Drew's picture of Madi with Mommy and Daddy...

...and Madi's picture of Mommy, Daddy and Drew.

Atlantis

We made it to the Atlantis Resort without too much trouble... We were loving the barely 45 minute flight from Miami. It was as awesome as we imagined there. It did take up a couple of days to figure everything out but we had a great time! The property is huge which made for a lot of walking... To top it off without a stroller in tow for this part of our trip it meant a lot of shoulder rides

Below was the straight out view from our room. We could see both the Reef and Cove Towers and the ocean beyond that though the picture didn't show that too well. Ocean off in both other directions. Cove Beach to one side and the cruise ship docking to the other. We also had a view of Dolphin Cay from our room so we got to catch glimpses of a few dolphins in a playful mood jumping.
Drew and Mommy at Johnny Rockets for Daddy's Birthday Dinner... Drew was so tired, he took one bite of his food and fell asleep. I was lucky enough to get to carry him all the way back to our room which was all the way past Marina Village, the Casino, the Royal Tower Lobby, the corridor between the East and the West Tower and up to the room. I think I slept well that night. :)

Madi and Daddy! Boy... I guess we all looked a little worn out!